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Leatham-Saxton Saddle to Saxton Hut return Cat Stream

October 14, 2024

Leatham-Saxton Saddle to Saxton Hut return Cat Stream
​Friday/Sat just gone was looking like a really nice but short weather window. Husband and kids had taken off on Thursday with their Aunty, and Grandma and Grandad to check out the Molesworth and stay at Saxtons Hut. I had quite a bit of work on so decided to get up early Fri and 4WD up the Leatham Valley and walk in to the hut to meet them.
After getting briefly stuck in the river on the way up I set off from Bottom Gordons Hut, up Gordons Stream and over Saxton Saddle and was greeted by the gigantically vast Saxton River Valley. In the heat of the day.
5km down the valley I met 4 horse riders who I was to hang out with later at Saxtons hut. A very interesting group with a large amount of knowledge about the Molesworth as one of the riders had done fencing in the area and another was a musterer.
​The afternoon stroll down the valley continued in the burning heat of early afternoon. I passed the wilding pine op at Team Stream, great to see the effort going in to eradicate these as the Leatham has been choked by the pines and they are becoming more prevalent in the Molesworth. After passing this I got to the hut quickly, had a nap and the kids and grandparents soon turned up from an adventure. Grandma cooked up feast in her wok and we settled in for a lovely evening in the hut.
​The next day decided I did not want to go back the way I came and Oyster Steam valley looked really nice on the way in and would be a direct way via Cat Stream to get back to the Leatham. Husband said there was an excellent scree slope that takes you into the head of Cat Stream and the stream was an easy walk out. He forgot to mention the waterfall and the fact that the stream was quite slippery and slimy, not helped by the soles of my boots falling off and having to be tied and taped back on.
​Regardless the walk up the Oyster Stream was lovely with some beautiful little tarns near the top. Once on the ridge the views were vast and absolutely breathtaking. With only a slight breeze (a lot less than forecasted) it was thoroughly enjoyable and was a little sad to drop down into the Leatham.

Top Gordons Hut.

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